Real Madrid send letter to injured Sunderland striker Duncan Watmore

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Sunderland striker Duncan Watmore’s father says his son has been “given a real lift” by an official letter from Real Madrid wishing him a smooth recovery.

Watmore Jr., 23, has had to undergo a cruciate knee operation that will keep him out until next season, having suffered the latest injury just weeks after returning from 10 months out with a similar problem.

On Tuesday, his father — a former FA chief executive and current England Rugby board member — revealed that Madrid had sent the ex-England under-21 international a letter of support, signed by their director Emilio Butragueno on behalf of club president Florentino Perez.

“If he was a world famous player maybe you’d expect it,” Watmore Sr. told the BBC. “It was totally out of the blue. What an incredible gesture.

“To get the letter was a total surprise but what an incredible gesture from a very classy club. It has given Duncan a real lift. He sent me a picture of it on WhatsApp as he left the training ground and I asked if I could tweet it.

“The reaction has been great. His situation is just awful really. We don’t know how long he will be out this time but I would be surprised if he is back before September or October next year.”

“Mata’s charity is followed very closely by the Spanish media, so I suspect Real Madrid have picked up on what happened to Duncan that way,” Ian said. “Either that or Chris Coleman, his [Sunderland] manager, has said something to Gareth Bale through their relationship at the Wales international level. But for the club to think of him and send a letter is wonderful.”

Dermot Corrigan is a Madrid-based football writer who covers La Liga and the Spain national team for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @dermotmcorrigan